Magnetic Suspension Device for Transport Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension devices for transport equipment, such as bicycles and skis, face issues with maintenance due to wear-prone elastic brake pads, contamination, and vulnerability to vandalism, requiring frequent maintenance and affecting performance, especially in high-traffic and public spaces.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance-free suspension device utilizing magnets for secure coupling and decoupling with a guide rail, eliminating the need for brake pads and spring elements, ensuring reliable operation and resistance to environmental and vandalism-related impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic brake pads are used for braking, then the receiving device can be fixed in position when unloaded, but the brake pads are subject to wear and contamination requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical brake pad system with a magnetic coupling system. Magnets mounted on the holding body interact with a ferromagnetic guide rail to provide both braking and positioning functions, eliminating wear-prone friction-based brake pads while maintaining reliable fixation capability.
2Force
If spring elements are used to compress brake pads against the guide rail, then sufficient braking force is achieved, but the springs weaken over time and require replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates spring elements by using magnetic attraction force between magnets and the ferromagnetic guide rail. This magnetic force provides consistent braking and positioning action without mechanical fatigue or weakening over time, significantly extending service life.
3Reliability
If brake pads are exposed for braking function, then the receiving device can be secured, but the exposed components are vulnerable to vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent encloses the magnets within the holding body structure, with only the necessary magnetic interaction surfaces exposed. This design protects the functional components from vandalism while maintaining the securing capability through the magnetic coupling with the guide rail.
4Ease of repair
If magnetic coupling is used instead of brake pads, then maintenance-free operation is achieved, but the holding body must be reliably coupled to and decoupled from the guide rail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the holding body to be dynamically movable along the guide rail through controlled forces. The magnetic coupling provides automatic positioning and securing, while the system allows easy manual or automated decoupling when needed, optimizing both maintenance-free operation and operational ease.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The magnetic coupling provides a reliable, low-maintenance solution that maintains functionality over time, resisting chemical and mechanical influences and vandalism, ensuring secure storage and retrieval of transport equipment without the need for regular maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the holding body is provided with at least one magnet which can be magnetically coupled or coupled to the guide rail in the upper end position of the holding body
Implementation Method 2
the weight of the sports equipment and, if applicable, a pulling force from the user act on the holding element, causing the holding element with its at least one magnet to detach from the guide rail
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The suspension device (10) for transport devices (8) comprises a guide rail (6) by means of which at least one receiving device (1) is slidably held from a receiving position to a parking position. The receiving device (1) has a drive unit (2) slidably mounted in the guide rail (6) and a drive unit body (21) which is connected by at least one connecting element (3) to a holding body (4) which is slidable along the connecting element (3) from a lower end position against the guide rail (6) to an upper end position and which is connected to a holding device (5) which serves to hold the transport device (8). According to the invention, the holding body (4) is provided with at least one magnet (45) which can be magnetically coupled to the guide rail (6) in the upper end position of the holding body (4).